Disclaimer: Bioware owns all.

A/N: This chapter is rated M for sexual content.

Chapter 20

I cleared the sleep from my eyes and carefully worked the stiff muscles of my neck, knotted and sore from last night's rest. I knew better than to sleep in my chair, as comfortable as it was, as I had worked the stiffness from my neck many mornings before. It was a rest well deserved, but did little to ease the ache of inner tension, hunger and longing still pulled taut. Ignoring my discomfort I slammed my hand down on the blaring chrono and readied myself for the day.

The hot water of the shower was warm and welcoming and I basked in its heat until it became almost overwhelming. Careful not to bang my elbows in the tiny stall, I cleansed my body and rinsed the soapy suds from my skin, imagining the night's stressors draining away as well. If only it was as easy to clean oneself of emotion as it was filth.

It wasn't until I stepped out of the shower and toweled my hair dry that I noticed the blinking red light on my omni-tool, signaling a waiting message. Curious, I slipped it on my wrist and activated it. A simple apology appeared, signed by Guy with an invitation to return this very eve. A jolt of excitement shot through my system, straining my already taut nerves, and I immediately cursed myself for my budding anticipation.

I generated a quick reply, accepting his invitation, but informed him that it would be later – after my shift was over. I would not take off early just to accommodate him, not after last night. No, despite my continued need to sate my desire, I would not allow such easy access to my charms. Nya's persona was far more lady-like than I, and I still had a cover to maintain.

I dressed in comfortable clothes and slid my knife inside my boot, momentarily eyeing my collection of blades before locking the cabinet. Satisfied with the security of my locks and traps, I made one last check of my apartment before leaving, saving the readings in my 'tool. The door hissed open as I threw on my jacket, ready for another day at the bar. The chime sounded behind me as the locking mechanism activated, and certain of my continued security, I navigated the gritty corridors to my destination.

Dulled music and bright lights greeted me as I entered through the service door, stacks of supplies and foodstuffs piled high in the small space. I hung my jacket on a corner peg and reached into the clean laundry for a towel. Tossing it over my shoulder I entered the lounge, the sound of music intensifying as the flashing lights blinded me momentarily.

I took a moment to adjust my gaze, focusing my wits with the change of ambiance. Xel hurried from patron to patron, shooting me an expectant glare behind twitching mandibles. I nodded almost reluctantly and engaged the person nearest me, filling their order and sending them on their way as quickly as possible.

An hour flew by without much difficulty, time passing more swiftly when the rush of business remained consistent. I took a moment to scan the lounge as I refilled my water, irritation flooding my veins as I recognized a familiar face. The Lout had staked out his usual claim in the corner, shadowed and sulking with an empty glass in his hand. I briefly wondered how long he had been there and when his exasperating ass would pop up to the bar for a refill.

Much to my surprise he remained rooted to the spot, silent and unmoving in what appeared to be deep contemplation. I watched him for a time, curiosity getting the better of me in the absence of work. He wasn't unpleasant to look upon, so long as he kept his mouth shut, but I still wondered what it was about him that irked me so. Until recently, a handsome face had little effect on me save for the admiration of beauty.

Lights flickered again and I heard Xel bark something at me in an unflattering tone. I shot him an irritated glance but said nothing. I was in no mood for his power trips, but continued with my tasks nonetheless. I still had a job to do and time to kill until my shift was over. I had no desire to cause any additional complication that might strain my already tense nerves.

The usual crowds filtered into the lounge as my shift wore on, patrons of all races crossing my path and requesting my services. I worked in coordination with Xel, each of us brushing past the other in a hurried dance of service and speed. We had grown used to each other and our work habits, moving in time with the flow of the customers. Xel was capable and hard working. I didn't always like him, but I respected him.

It wasn't until the second rush was over that I once more scanned the crowds. The Lout was still at his table, his drink refilled. He did not look for me, nor did he appear to care for anything other than the table directly before him. He remained still, contemplating the unknown.

I shrugged off the mystery of his vapid thoughts and finished my duties. I was tired and worn, but eager anticipation stirred renewed vigor within. Tossing my now-soiled towel into the laundry bin I bid Xel a good night and made a hasty exit. I had an evening of imagined delights ahead of me.

I still remember the look upon his face when Guy opened the door. He stood before me, welcoming me into his home once again and taking my jacket as a gentleman should. There the politeness ended and he was gentle no more. He pressed his lips to mine in a frenzied imitation of last night's kiss, hands once more hot on my body as he explored all that I offered.

I responded to him as my body demanded, allowing him to plunder my mouth with his tongue. The sweet taste of his breath I had remembered was replaced with the sharpness of scotch. The warmth in his eyes still burned with yearning and interruption or no, I knew he would not be denied this eve.

His muscles flexed beneath the soft silkiness of his shirt and I pulled it from him impatiently, breaking our kiss only momentarily. He was back on me in an instant, mouth roaming over bare skin as hunger swelled between us. I had barely time to notice our convoluted path through the apartment before I fell back against the bed. He eyed me momentarily before resuming pursuit of his goal, the heat of his kisses near scorching.

I moved with him, sliding my pants awkwardly down my legs as he fumbled with his own. In the end, he gave up his struggle and flipped me on my belly, pulling me further down the bed toward his waiting loins. He took me then, rough and hurried. It was over before I knew it and I was left aching and hungry for more.

Guy rolled off me, his body loose and sweaty from his brief exertions. A mix of emptiness and embarrassment filled me and I pulled up my pants to cover my nakedness. We laid on the bed in silence and I contemplated the origins of my fascination with this man. What was it that had so attracted me to him?

I propped my head on my palm and turned to look at him. Guy smiled tiredly at me and traced the line of my jaw in a sweet caress. I watched as his lids sank closed and not long after, soft snores whispered through his lips. I wasn't surprised at his sudden lack of gusto, but I was certainly disappointed. Once again I was left with unfulfilled longing and a lingering hunger.

I was rather tired of my lack of satisfaction and an ember of ire sparked within me. I sat up, careful not to wake him, and felt for the switch on my wristband. My injection of the tranquilizer went unnoticed by Guy, already deep asleep. I was sure I needn't use the small bit of toxin, but I did not want to risk him waking up while I was deep in his files. His interruption would have impeded my progress and I hated interruptions.

With free reign I made a thorough search of his apartment. I found two safes, one poorly hidden behind one of his many artifacts, and the other ingeniously incorporated into a shelving unit. Neither contained any information of note, but I recorded the data nonetheless. Better to have too much information than not enough.

His personal terminal was set aside on the kitchen countertop, and I pushed aside the memories of last night's misadventure. While my desires had not been fully sated in the way that I had wished, at least last night I still had the benefit of wishful thinking rather than the sad knowledge of reality. However I realized, as I activated Guy's terminal, that disappointment could be quite the motivator.

I sync'd up my 'tool to the terminal, bypassing his access codes with minimal effort. I watched as the data scrolled down the display, scanning for familiar files, pausing the feed once I ran across the financial records. Cross-referencing his files with my data found no listings of the individual he purportedly worked for. As I suspected, the asari merchant on Illuim was but a lie. Nevertheless, I downloaded the files more sure than not that they contained valuable information.

I retraced my path, erasing the evidence of my presence in his systems and replacing his terminal as it was before. I scanned his apartment once more for good measure, hiding all traces of my visit. Upon deeper inspection I scanned the substructure and noticed a series of pipes running parallel along the far wall. A wicked idea filtered through my mind and I pulled the knife from my boot.

Accessing the control panel on the far wall, I pried the back plating from its hinges, eyeing the schematics from my omni-tool. A small puncture in the pipes would go unnoticed, and hidden as they were, the leak would be active for some time. However, Guy was not likely to wake anytime soon to escape the leak's effects, slumbering soundly as noxious fumes filled his abode. I smiled wryly in thought; poor Guy. His death would look like just another industrial accident, a random casualty of Omega's decrepit infrastructure.

My objective completed I stood in silence for a short span, putting his face to memory. Guy had treated me well for the most part, had been a gentleman, been considerate. However, he did not know me, nor I him. Despite our conversations, the time we had spent together over the last few weeks, we were relative strangers. As much as I wanted the fantasy of him to be real, it was not; and I still had obligations and responsibilities that were of a higher priority than indulgence.

I sighed, not with regret for his death, but for what could have been. If Guy had never come to Omega, never seen fit to test his mettle against the pirate queen, he may well still have survived. As it stood, though, he had acted incautiously, stupidly, and as I walked out the door of his apartment, I wondered what it was that I ever saw in him to begin with.